Job 39:26

KJV

¶ Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, [and] stretch her wings toward the south?

KJV (with Strong's)

Doth the hawk {H5322} fly {H82} by thy wisdom {H998}, and stretch {H6566} her wings {H3671} toward the south {H8486}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Is it your wisdom that sets the hawk soaring, spreading its wings toward the south?

Berean Standard Bible

Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south?

American Standard Version

Is it by thy wisdom that the hawk soareth, And stretcheth her wings toward the south?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 39:26 presents a profound rhetorical question from God to Job, challenging human wisdom and control by highlighting the divinely ordained, instinctual behavior of the hawk. As a pivotal part of God's majestic discourse from the whirlwind, this verse powerfully underscores the Creator's absolute sovereignty, intricate knowledge, and meticulous design over the natural world, humbling Job and all humanity by demonstrating that even the seemingly simple flight and migration of a bird are beyond human comprehension or direction, serving as an irrefutable testament to God's unparalleled and inscrutable wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 39:26 is deeply embedded within God's climactic and extensive response to Job, which spans from [Job 38:1](/job/38-1 "Job 38:1 - God Answers Job from the Whirlwind") through chapter 41. Following Job's prolonged lamentations and his persistent questioning of divine justice, God does not offer a direct explanation for suffering but instead unveils His omnipotence and omniscience through a magnificent tour of creation. Each rhetorical question, including the one concerning the hawk, serves to illuminate the immense disparity between God's infinite wisdom and Job's finite understanding, thereby dismantling Job's presumption to judge the Almighty. The divine interrogation progresses from grand cosmic phenomena (light, darkness, the sea) to terrestrial wonders (snow, rain, ice) and then to the untamed animal kingdom, culminating in the detailed descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan. The hawk's flight is a specific, tangible example within this broader argument for God's absolute dominion over all creation, demonstrating that even the most fundamental and seemingly simple natural instincts are meticulously programmed by divine wisdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, birds of prey like the hawk were widely recognized for their remarkable swiftness, acute vision, and, notably, their predictable migratory patterns. The mention of "the south" (Hebrew: _teiman_) in this verse directly references the instinctual migration of birds towards warmer regions during colder seasons, a well-observed yet mysterious phenomenon to ancient observers. The rhetorical question, "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom?" directly challenges the prevailing anthropocentric view of knowledge and control. Unlike domesticated animals, wild creatures such as the hawk were perceived as truly free and untamed, making their predictable yet inexplicable behaviors even more awe-inspiring and indicative of a higher, ordering power. The ancient world, while keenly observing nature, lacked the scientific understanding of avian migration, thus attributing the hawk's journey solely to an incomprehensible divine wisdom, underscoring humanity's limited grasp of the natural world's intricate workings.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes central to the book of Job and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly illustrates **Divine Wisdom and Omniscience**. The hawk's innate ability to fly and its purposeful migration "toward the south" are presented as direct manifestations of God's intricate design and meticulous oversight. This demonstrates that His wisdom permeates every detail of creation, from the grandest cosmic structures to the smallest creature's instinct, echoing the praise found in [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"). Secondly, it emphasizes **Human Limitation and Humility**. God’s rhetorical question forces Job, and by extension, all humanity, to acknowledge the severe limits of human understanding and control. We cannot command the hawk, nor do we fully grasp the mechanisms of its instinctual journey, reinforcing the need for humility before the Creator, a theme powerfully articulated in [Proverbs 3:5-7](/proverbs/3-5-7 "Proverbs 3:5-7 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart"). Thirdly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**. The hawk's flight is not random or self-directed; it is guided by divine purpose and instinct. This underscores God’s absolute dominion not only over humanity's affairs but over every aspect of His creation, reinforcing that He is the ultimate director and sustainer of all things, as beautifully depicted throughout [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - The Lord's Care for Creation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hawk (Hebrew, _nêts'_):** The Hebrew word נֵץ (H5322, transliterated _nêts'_) specifically refers to a hawk or falcon, a bird of prey renowned for its swift, powerful flight, exceptionally sharp vision, and predatory nature. In biblical literature, birds of prey often symbolize strength, speed, and sometimes, divine judgment or swift action. Here, the hawk's natural, instinctual behavior—its flight and migration—is presented as a phenomenon entirely outside human control or understanding, serving as a powerful example of God's sovereign design over the animal kingdom.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _bîynâh'_):** The Hebrew word בִּינָה (H998, transliterated _bîynâh'_) denotes "understanding," "discernment," or "insight." It refers to the cognitive ability to comprehend, interpret, and make sense of complex information. God's question, "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom?" is a direct challenge to Job's (and humanity's) capacity for such profound understanding. It implies that the intricate, instinctual processes governing the hawk's flight and migration are far beyond human intellectual grasp or direction, belonging solely to God's infinite and unsearchable wisdom.
* **Wings (Hebrew, _kânâph'_):** The Hebrew word כָּנָף (H3671, transliterated _kânâph'_) refers to an "edge or extremity," specifically a "wing" of a bird. The act of "stretching her wings" (pâras kânâph) vividly describes the hawk's preparation for flight and its sustained movement. The inclusion of "wings" emphasizes the physical means by which the hawk executes its divinely programmed flight and migration, highlighting that even the very instruments of its movement are part of God's design, not subject to human command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom":** This opening clause poses a direct and profoundly challenging rhetorical question to Job. It interrogates whether Job, with all his human wisdom and understanding, is the one who imparts the hawk its inherent ability to fly, or if he directs its flight path. The implied answer is a resounding "no," immediately establishing the vast, unbridgeable disparity between finite human knowledge and infinite divine omnipotence. It underscores that the very essence of the hawk's being and its fundamental actions are not a product of human design, instruction, or even full comprehension.
* **"and stretch her wings toward the south?":** This second clause specifies a particular, observable, and highly complex behavior of the hawk: its instinctual migratory journey southward. This seasonal movement is both purposeful and intricate, yet it occurs entirely autonomously from human command or intervention. The question further emphasizes that not only the ability to fly, but also the innate knowledge of direction and purpose in migration, is divinely endowed. It points to a deep, inherent programming within creation that operates independently of human will or comprehension, solely under God's meticulous superintendence and wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Job 39:26 primarily employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, a literary device where a question is posed not to elicit an answer, but to make a profound point or create a dramatic effect. By asking Job if the hawk flies by *his* wisdom, God underscores the obvious truth that it does not, thereby highlighting His own unparalleled wisdom and absolute sovereignty. This device serves to humble Job by exposing the severe limits of his knowledge and control compared to the Creator. Additionally, the verse uses vivid **Imagery** by evoking the majestic flight of the hawk and its purposeful journey southward. This imagery makes God's argument tangible and relatable, drawing on a common, observable phenomenon from the natural world to illustrate a profound theological truth about divine providence and the intricate order of creation. The hawk itself serves as a potent **Symbol** of wild, untamable nature, whose very existence and instinctual behavior are a constant testimony to a wisdom far surpassing human capacity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 39:26 stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty and the profound limitations of human understanding. It asserts that the intricate order and instinctual behaviors observed throughout creation are not random occurrences or products of human design, but rather direct manifestations of divine wisdom and command. This truth serves to humble humanity, reminding us that our knowledge is finite and our control over the natural world is negligible. Just as God meticulously guides the hawk's migratory path, so too does He orchestrate the vast complexities of the cosmos and the intimate details of human life, often in ways that are far beyond our full comprehension. This verse invites us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and awe before the Creator, recognizing that His ways are infinitely higher than our ways, and His thoughts immeasurably deeper than our thoughts.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation"): "O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches."
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts Higher Than Ours"): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - Birds of the Air"): "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 39:26 serves as a profound reminder that much of life, even the seemingly simple or routine, operates beyond our full comprehension or control. This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep sense of humility, recognizing that our knowledge and power are profoundly limited compared to God’s infinite wisdom and omnipotence. In a world that often prizes human ingenuity, self-sufficiency, and the illusion of control, this passage calls us to a posture of awe, dependence, and trust in the Creator. Just as God guides the hawk in its intricate migratory flight with unseen wisdom, He also orchestrates the larger plan of our lives and the world, often through mysterious ways and an unseen hand. This understanding can bring immense peace and release from anxiety in situations we cannot control or fully comprehend, fostering a deeper trust in His perfect timing and sovereign will, even when circumstances are challenging or mysterious, much like Job experienced. It also invites us to marvel at the intricate beauty and order of the natural world, seeing it as a constant, living testimony to God’s boundless wisdom, glory, and meticulous care for His creation, prompting us to worship the One who holds all things together by His powerful word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to rely primarily on your own wisdom and understanding rather than fully trusting in God's sovereign plan and guidance?**
* **How does reflecting on the intricate design and instinctual behaviors of creation, such as the hawk's flight, deepen your sense of awe, reverence, and humility before the Creator?**
* **What particular anxieties, uncertainties, or desires for control can you surrender to God today, trusting that He is orchestrating even the details you cannot see or influence, just as meticulously as He guides the hawk?**

### FAQ
**Why does God use examples from nature, like the hawk, to respond to Job's questioning?**

Answer: God uses examples from nature, such as the hawk, throughout His discourse in [Job 38-41](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's First Response to Job") to powerfully demonstrate His unparalleled wisdom, boundless power, and absolute sovereignty over all creation. These examples are tangible, observable phenomena that Job (and indeed, all humanity) could readily see but could neither control nor fully comprehend. By pointing to the intricate design and instinctual behaviors of creatures like the hawk, God highlights the vast, unbridgeable chasm between His infinite knowledge and human limitations. He is essentially asking, "If you cannot even explain or direct the flight of a bird, how can you presume to understand or question My governance of the universe or My justice?" This approach serves to profoundly humble Job by revealing that the very world he inhabits operates by divine wisdom far beyond his grasp, thus shifting Job's focus from his personal suffering to the majestic, inscrutable nature of his Creator. It underscores that God's ways are beyond human scrutiny and His purposes are ultimately unfathomable, as eloquently expressed in [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33-36 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depths of God's Wisdom").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 39:26 speaks of God's inscrutable wisdom in creation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest theological meaning are profoundly found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very divine wisdom that orchestrates the hawk's instinctual flight and guides its migratory path is perfectly embodied in the Son of God. [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, the Creator and Sustainer") declares that "by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible... all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Thus, the intricate wisdom that programmed the hawk's instinctual journey is none other than Christ's wisdom. He is the active agent of creation and the divine sustainer of all things, upholding the entire universe by the word of His power ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). Furthermore, the profound humility demanded of Job in the face of God's incomprehensible wisdom finds its ultimate expression in Christ, who, though eternally God, "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He is revealed as the "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom and Power of God")), through whom we can begin to grasp the mysteries of God's creation and providence, not through our own limited understanding, but through faith and revelation in Him. The untamed hawk, flying by divine wisdom, beautifully foreshadows the untamable wisdom, sovereign power, and ultimate direction of Christ, who sovereignly directs all things for His glory and the good of His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 8:7

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

Leviticus 16:11

And Aaron shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which [is] for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock of the sin offering which [is] for himself:

Song Of Solomon 2:12

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Deuteronomy 14:15

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,